118.2 Volume 5 SS 2: A Black Cat's Hope - Story About Buying My Classmate Once A Week

Volume 5 SS 2: A Black Cat's Hope In Shiori-chan's room, there's a bookshelf crammed with books. Guarding those books occasionally is my job, a plush black cat. But right now, I'm off-duty. These days, I've been listening to Shiori-chan talk about something called "moving." Apparently, all this trouble is because of Sendai-san. The preparation for "moving" is a hassle, Shiori-chan would say. Since Shiori-chan no longer has to go to a place called "high school," she's home all the time and tells me stories like these. It makes me happy and content every day. However, I'm about to be confined in a lonely place. When I asked the crocodile tissue box about "moving," I was told it's about going somewhere other than this room, and for that, I'd be sealed inside a "box." I was chosen by Sendai-san to be placed in something called a "bag," and that's how I came to Shiori-chan's room. Meeting Shiori-chan here made me happy, but I don't like dark, cramped, and lonely places like the "bag." So, I don't want to be trapped inside the "box." I want to stay like this, on top of Shiori-chan's bed. Even now, Shiori-chan is stroking my head, and it feels nice. "The packing is almost done," Shiori-chan says, speaking to me and cradling me close. Then, from among the numerous "boxes" in the room, she selects one and opens the lid. "It's cramped, but hang in there for a while," she says, placing me inside the "box." No. I want to stay with Shiori-chan for a while longer. I answered like that, but the lid was closed, and I was trapped in a place that was dark, cramped, and lonely—not lonely at all. "It's too tight! Just because you're a bit like my Shiori-chan doesn't mean you can stay next to me." Unlike being alone in the "bag," the "box" was different. Though I couldn't see, I felt something fluffy and soft next to me. "Hello!" I greet. Even in the darkness, I know. This tone of voice and soft body belongs to Crocodile-san. "Hello. Why is the black cat here too? It's so stuffy," Crocodile-san responds. "I don't know, but Shiori-chan said to stay here for a while—" "Why here?!" "I don't know, but that's what Shiori-chan said." When I answer, Crocodile-san lets out a sigh. "How's my Shiori-chan doing?" "Yeah, she seemed lonely but determined to tackle 'moving'." "I see. We don't need to talk anymore." "I want to chat with Crocodile-san." "...If you really want to talk with me, the senpai and excellent Crocodile, you should show proper respect." "Respect?" "I'm a brilliant senpai, so you should act like I'm something awesome." "Yeah, Crocodile-san seems awesome." This place is dark and cramped, but with Crocodile-san here, I don't mind. Still, I want to talk to Shiori-chan soon. And as Shiori-chan mentioned, once we "move," we'll meet Sendai-san. So, I hope the "moving" finishes quickly, and I can get out of this "box." Right, Crocodile-san?